/

Forward slash

ASCII Code: 47•Category: symbols

The forward slash (/) serves as the division operator in mathematics and the universal path separator in computing, making it essential for navigation, calculation, and data organization.

Technical Details

ASCII Code
47
HTML Entity
/
Hexadecimal
0x2F
Binary
00101111
Octal
57

Usage & Examples

Programming

char symbol = '/'; // ASCII 47

HTML/Web

/ or /

Common Uses

slashdividefractionpathURLseparatordirectory

How to Type This Character

Windows

Alt Code:
Hold Alt and type47 on numeric keypad
Character Map:
Search "Character Map" in Start menu

Mac

Character Viewer:
Press Ctrl +Cmd +Space
Copy & Paste:
Easiest method - copy from this page!

💡 Pro tip: The fastest way is to bookmark this page or copy the character from our ASCII library!

Related Characters

#
Hash symbol
#35
%
Percent sign
#37
&
Ampersand
#38
*
Asterisk
#42
@
At symbol
#64
\
Backslash
#92
^
Circumflex accent
#94
_
Underscore
#95
`
Grave accent
#96
|
Vertical bar
#124
~
Tilde
#126
¦
Broken Bar
#166

About the Forward slash

Mathematical Division

Primary symbol for division in arithmetic and algebra, enabling fraction notation (1/2, 3/4) and mathematical calculations. The forward slash makes mathematical relationships clear and universally understandable.

Digital Navigation

Fundamental to URL structure, file paths, and directory organization across all operating systems. The forward slash enables web navigation and file system organization that powers the internet and computing.

Data Formatting

Used for date formatting (MM/DD/YYYY), ratios, and proportional relationships. The slash provides compact notation for complex relationships in various fields from finance to engineering.

Programming Syntax

Essential for regular expressions, comments in some languages, and path operations. The forward slash enables pattern matching, code documentation, and file manipulation in software development.

History of the Forward slash

1200s

Medieval Mathematics

Medieval mathematicians began using diagonal lines for division operations, evolving from earlier methods of expressing fractional relationships in mathematical manuscripts.

1631

Fraction Notation

William Oughtred's mathematical works standardized the forward slash for fraction notation, establishing the symbol's role in mathematical education and calculation.

1970s

Unix File Systems

Unix operating systems adopted the forward slash as the directory separator, creating the foundation for modern file path notation and web URL structure.

1990

World Wide Web

Tim Berners-Lee used forward slashes in URL structure (http://domain.com/path), making the symbol essential for web navigation and internet addressing.

2000s

Cross-Platform Standards

Programming languages and web technologies standardized forward slash usage regardless of operating system, ensuring consistent path notation across platforms.

Cultural Impact

The forward slash evolved from mathematical notation to become the backbone of digital navigation, enabling both web browsing and file system organization that defines modern computing.

Usage Examples

Mathematical Operations

Example
Division: 15 / 3 = 5, Fractions: 1/2, 3/4, 7/8

Arithmetic operations and fractional representation

Web URLs

Example
https://website.com/category/product/details

Internet addressing and website navigation structure

File Paths

Example
Linux/Mac: /home/user/documents/, Windows accepts: C:/Program Files/

Directory navigation across operating systems

Date Formatting

Example
US format: 03/15/2024, Alternative: 2024/03/15

Standardized date notation and time formatting

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